Latin draw poker

ABSTRACT

A wagering card game is described whereby players compete against the dealer, rather than against other players. Players place an ante bet and five cards are dealt to each player and the dealer; the players seek a high-ranking hand.  
     After the dealer places his/her five card hand face down on the game table the players decide to make a call bet or fold, a call bet being double an ante bet. Players can purchase draw cards to improve the rank of a hand, one or two draw cards costing an amount equal to a player&#39;s ante bet. Additionally, a player can make one bonus payout or progressive jackpot wager. If a player hand defeats a dealer hand and the player has not folded, a player is paid even money on the ante bet and the applicable amount on the call bet. If a player loses against the dealer, the player loses their ante and/or call bets. The bonus payout or progressive jackpot wagers are separate from and immaterial to the outcome between the dealer hand and the player hand. If a dealer hand does not qualify, a dealer qualification being a hand of at least an Ace and a King, (preferably a dealer qualification hand being at least a pair of five&#39;s, or a poker hand of greater value), a game round is terminated after even money is paid on the ante bet of those players who have not folded, and any bonus payout or progressive jackpot payout is made. The game playing surface includes call boxes, ante boxes, draw boxes, bonus payout or progressive jackpot wagering circle(s), a dealer station, a chip tray, a discard rack, and devices to indicate the placement of a wager and a bonus payout or progressive jackpot player qualification.

FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a wagering card game, more particularly, a five card draw poker game and associated playing surface whereby players purchase draw cards to improve a game hand rank, the player game hand competing against the dealer game hand.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Card games have been played for a long time, and many variations have been developed. Some card games are for entertainment and many have been introduced into casinos for gaming. One of the most famous games is poker, which is very popular and has a number of variations.

[0003] One of the variations of poker is “stud” poker. This name typically refers to a game where the player may use only the cards that they are dealt, with no chance to substitute a bad card for a randomly drawn new card. Another variation of poker is “draw” poker. This name typically refers to a game where the players do have the opportunity to substitute one or more bad cards for randomly drawn new card(s).

[0004] In a typical game of poker, the players compete against the group by placing their wagers into a “pot” of money that is won by the person with the best hand (or who bluffs the others into believing he has the best hand). In order to play poker, it is preferred to have a full table or four or more players in the group. One variation applicable to casino play is the ability of each player to play against the dealer rather than against all the players. This variation is popular because the players compete against the house rather than against one another. Additionally, one or more players can play the game without the need for a full table.

[0005] To date, there have been a number of various card games that have been considered sufficiently novel to be worthy of patent protection. These patents include U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,836,553; 4,861,041; 4,948,134; 5,022,653; 5,078,405; 5,112,060; 5,288,077; 5,364,104; 5,364,105; and D311,474. The subject invention called Latin Draw Poker includes a number of novel features that are not present in known card games or the prior patents.

SUMMARY

[0006] Latin Draw Poker is based on traditional types of “five card draw” poker games. A difference between traditional types of five card draw poker games and Latin Draw Poker is that when playing a traditional game of five card draw poker all game hands, belonging to the game dealer and/or to the game players, compete, one game hand against all other game hands, for a common poker pot comprised of all ante bets and wagers made by the dealer and/or game players for each game round played; and whereas in Latin Draw Poker each individual game player's game hand competes against the game dealer's game hand to win or lose an ante bet the casino requires each-game player to make to qualify to play a game round (the amount of the ante bet made by each of the game players may vary as long as the amount of the ante bet is within the constraints of the casino's minimum and maximum amount of the ante bets accepted), and/or any subsequent call bets (the call bet is typically twice the amount of the ante bet) made by each individual game player during the play of the game round.

[0007] Another difference between traditional types of five card draw poker games and Latin Draw Poker is that when playing five card draw poker the game players do not have to buy any draw cards. In Latin Draw Poker, if the player, having been dealt his/her original five-card game hand, wishes to discard one or more cards with the objective of improving his/her game hand, the player may buy the allowed maximum of one or more draw cards by paying an amount equal to the amount of the game player's ante bet for either one or two or more cards drawn. The amount used to purchase the Latin Draw Poker draw card(s) is a fee rather than a bet.

[0008] The game of Latin Draw Poker has some similarities to traditional five card draw poker games. In five card draw poker each player, including the dealer, receives a game hand. When all the game players “check” (do not bet) their original game hands, or when all game players have made one or more bets on their original game hands, each of the players, beginning with the player receiving the first player hand, or the player having made the first call bet, may discard and draw one to five cards. The Latin Draw Poker game rules restricts the number of discard and draw cards to a predetermined number, for example, to a maximum of two cards. The cards are discarded one or two cards at a time. Discarded cards are replaced by the same number of draw card(s) that are dealt to the player by the game dealer from the cards remaining in the deck. A Latin Draw Poker player who wishes to discard and draw one or two cards during the game round pays an amount equal to the amount of the player's original ante bet for either one or two card(s) received. In Latin Draw Poker the dealer does not discard or draw any cards in an effort to improve his original five card game hand. Neither the game players or the game dealer raises a call bet. Also, in Latin Draw Poker an individual game player's game hand can only win or lose the ante and/or call bets made by the individual game player making the ante and/or call bets. In the event an individual game player makes a bonus payout or progressive jackpot wager in addition to his ante wager that game player may also win a bonus payout or progressive jackpot. In Latin Draw Poker there is preferably no common poker pot comprised of all antes and wagers made by all of the game players during the course of the game as there is in traditional types of poker games. In Latin Draw Poker more than one game player's game hand can beat, or win over, the dealer's game hand, and a game player's game hand may only lose the amount(s) wagered on the ante and call bets made by the game player(s) for each game round played. A game player's game hand may only win even money on his ante bet, and an amount designated as applicable to his call bet.

[0009] In Latin Draw Poker a game player's game hand may also qualify to win a designated bonus payout or progressive jackpot. The amounts of the bonus payouts or progressive jackpots are determined by the casino. The casino posts, or displays, a bonus payout or progressive jackpot payout schedule on or near the game table specifying the amounts to be paid to players who have made a qualifying bonus payout or progressive jackpot wager and have subsequently been dealt a game hand comprised of a selected combination of cards value and card suits.

[0010] In one embodiment of the invention, a wagering five card draw poker game with associated playing surface, provides excitement for the players and a potential money generating business for the game owner, or casino. In one embodiment, a playing surface includes an ante box, call box, draw box, at least one bonus payout or progressive jackpot wagering circle, a chip tray, a discard rack, and a dealer station. In another embodiment, the playing surface indicates the placement of wagers, indicates when a player qualifies to win a bonus payout or progressive jackpot, and a means to clear the bonus payout or progressive jackpot indicators.

[0011] In another embodiment, the invention provides a method for playing a wagering card game whereby players compete against only the dealer, not other players. Five cards are dealt to each player, and the game dealer, and each player seeks a high ranking hand. The dealer deals each player, who has placed an ante bet, five cards face down and after the dealer receives his/her five card hand, the dealer's hand is also dealt face down, each player decides to fold or make a call bet, a call bet being double the amount of the ante bet. Players, but not the dealer, can purchase draw cards to improve the rank of a hand, either one or two draw cards may be purchased for a fee that is an amount equal to a player's ante bet. Additionally, a player can make one bonus payout or progressive jackpot wager. If a player's hand defeats the dealer hand and the player has not folded, a player is paid even money on the ante bet and the applicable amount on the call bet. If a player's hand loses to the dealer's hand the player loses his/her ante and/or call bets, but is paid any winning bonus payout or progressive jackpot wager. If a dealer hand does not qualify, a dealer qualification being a hand of at least an Ace and a King, preferable a dealer qualification hand will consists of a poker hand consisting of at least a pair of fives or a poker hand of higher ranking, a game round is terminated after even money is paid on ante bets and any bonus payout or progressive jackpot winner is paid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 depicts the Latin Draw Poker game table according to an embodiment of the invention; and

[0013]FIG. 2 is a close view of the betting portion of the table of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Exemplary embodiments are described with reference to specific card games and rules. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes and modifications can be made while remaining within the scope of the claims.

[0015] In the exemplary embodiment, Latin Draw Poker is played at a special, blackjack sized game table. Referring to FIG. 1, the game table 10 seats six game players and a dealer. Each game table seat 20 is identified by a corresponding game table seat number 1 to 6 imprinted on the game table top layout 30. The table also includes betting positions of a call box 40, an ante box 50, a draw box 60 and one Bonus Payout or Progressive Jackpot wagering circle 70, which is also imprinted on the game table top layout 30 for each game table seat 20 imprinted on the game table top layout 30. Using this exemplary table, the rules of Latin Draw Poker are described below.

[0016] A. Game Rules

[0017] 1. The Deck

[0018] Latin Draw Poker is played using one, standard, fifty-two-card deck of playing cards.

[0019] 2. Number of Players

[0020] The minimum number of players that can play Latin Draw Poker is

[0021] one player and a dealer. The maximum number of players that can be accommodated in Latin Draw Poker is six players and a dealer. If the table was expanded or multiple decks of cards used, then there could be more players. On one aspect of the invention, each player is allowed to play only one game hand during any game round.

[0022] 3. Sharing of Game Information by the Game Players

[0023] Information relative to the value, rank, and suit of any player's game hand cannot be shared with other game players during the play of a game round. In the event that such information is shared by two or more game players all ante bets and call bets made by these players during the game round in which the information is shared will be forfeited to the house, or dealer. Further, in the event that such information is shared by two or more players during a game round any bonus payout or progressive jackpot wagers are forfeited as will the players, violating this rule, eligibility or right to win any part of the bonus payout or progressive jackpot.

[0024] 4. Rotating First Player Game Hand

[0025] When the Latin Draw Poker game first commences the first active seat or player, to the dealer's left, receives the “first game hand” dealt from a newly shuffled deck placed in a card dispensing shoe. Thereafter, after the settlement of each game round is completed, the dealer moves a first game hand indicator marker in a clockwise direction from the first designated first game hand and positions the marker in front of the next game player to indicate the starting point or the player who is to be dealt the first game hand for the upcoming game round. Other game players seated to the left of the player receiving the first game hand are dealt their game hands, in a clockwise sequence. When the last player seated to the far left of the player receiving the first game hand has received his game hand, the player seated to the far right of the player receiving the first game hand is dealt the next game hand, and the dealer continues to deal the game hands in a clockwise direction until the game player seated to the immediate right of the player receiving the first game hand receives his game hand cards. The dealer receives the last game hand dealt from the deck for each game round. In one aspect of the invention, a casino has the option to maintain or eliminate the rotating first game hand rule.

[0026] 5. Latin Draw Poker Game Hand

[0027] A Latin Draw Poker game hand is comprised of five cards dealt consecutively from the deck and delivered simultaneously, unexposed, to a game player or the game dealer by the game dealer. During the play of the game each player has an option to discard and draw one or more cards, preferably a maximum of two cards to improve his original game hand in exchange for a draw card(s) fee equal to the amount of the ante bet made by the player exercising his/her draw card option. The game dealer does not draw any cards in an attempt to improve the dealer's game hand at any time.

[0028] 6. Ranking of Game Hands

[0029] A royal flush defeats a straight flush, a straight flush defeats four of a kind, four of a kind defeats a full house, a full house defeats a flush, a flush defeats a straight, a straight defeats three of a kind, three of a kind defeats two pair, two pair defeats one pair, one pair defeats a high card, and a high card hand defeats a high card hand with a lesser high card hand ranking, the ordering of the high card being: Ace, King, Queen, Jack, Ten, Nine, Eight, Seven, Six, Five, Four, Three, Two).

[0030] 7. The Ante Bet

[0031] In order to participate in a Latin Draw Poker game round each player, prior to being dealt any game hand or game cards, must first place an ante bet in the ante box 50 designated for the specific game seat the player is playing. However, unlike traditional five card draw poker games in which all players ante an equal amount in a common pot, the amount of the Latin Draw Poker ante bets may vary from player to player, as each player arbitrarily decides the amount of his ante bet for each game round played. The minimum and maximum amount of the ante bet will be arbitrarily determined by the casino, establishment or gaming location offering and bankrolling the Latin Draw Poker Game. A Latin Draw Poker player wins or loses his/her ante bet made during a game round; and he does not win or lose any ante bets placed by other game players.

[0032] 8. Dealer's Qualifying Game Hand

[0033] To qualify to play against the players' game hands, the dealer's game hand must be comprised of cards having a traditional poker game hand value of at least an Ace and a King, or traditional poker game hand having a game hand value greater than an Ace and a King or any “high” card combination determined by the host casino. If the dealer's game hand does not qualify to play the current game round, the dealer pays the ante bets of those player's who have not folded; the call bets are returned and the game round is terminated. However, if a player's game hand qualifies to win a bonus payout or progressive jackpot, and the player has made the required bonus payout or progressive jackpot wager, the player informs the dealer of his winning bonus payout or progressive jackpot game hand before the dealer picks the game hand up and places it in the discard rack. The dealer leaves the winning bonus payout or progressive jackpot game hand on the table and after all the cards comprising the game hands that do not have a winning bonus payout or progressive jackpot have been picked up the dealer calls the game supervisor to confirm the bonus payout or progressive jackpot winner and pays the winning game hand.

[0034] 9. Payouts

[0035] If the dealer has a game hand that qualifies to play and the player's original game hand, or the player's one or two card draw game hand, has a greater poker game hand value than that of the dealer's game hand, the player will be paid even money (1-1) on the ante bet and the applicable amount on the call bet. Call Bet Payout Call Bet Payout Schedule 1 Schedule 2 Final Hand Type Pays (to 1) Pays (to 1) Pair of fives or Better  1  1 Two Pairs  2  2 Three of a Kind 5 to 2 5 to 2 Straight  3  3 Flush  5  4 Full House  6  6 Four of a Kind  20  20 Straight Flush  40  40 Royal Flush 100 100

[0036] 10. Progressive Jackpot

[0037] The amount of the original progressive jackpot is determined by the individual casino or gaming establishment; however, the progressive jackpot may become progressively greater each time a player makes a progressive jackpot wager in an attempt to win all or part of the progressive jackpot.

[0038] The total amount of the progressive jackpot payout is displayed on an LED screen attached to the game table's electronics. There are techniques known in the art for providing this type of information.

[0039] The qualifying progressive jackpot wager is preferably applicable only to the original five cards that comprise a player's game hand. However, at the discretion of a casino's management the qualifying progressive jackpot wagers may be designated to include any game hand resulting from a player having exercised his/her draw card(s) option.

[0040] 11. Bonus Payout

[0041] The bonus payout is a fixed amount determined by the individual casino or gaming establishment. The bonus payout is paid to any player having a winning bonus payout hand who has also made the qualifying bonus payout wager. The schedule of winning bonus payout card combinations and the amount of the payout for each card combination will be posted on or near the game table.

[0042] The qualifying bonus payout wager is preferably applicable only to the original five cards that comprise a player's game hand. However, at the discretion of a casino's management the qualifying bonus payout wagers may be designated to include any game hand resulting from a player having exercised his/her draw card(s) option.

[0043] 12. One Separate Wager

[0044] Latin Draw Poker games also have the option of offering a bonus payout or progressive jackpot. To qualify for the bonus payout or progressive jackpot that may be offered by the casino or gaming location where the Latin Draw Poker game is being played; a player must make a bonus payout or progressive jackpot wager that is separate from, but in addition to, the ante bet and the call bet each player is required to make to qualify and continue to play a game round or game hand. During any one game round a Latin Draw Poker player may, preferably, have one chance to win a bonus payout or progressive jackpot by:

[0045] (a) placing the ante bet in the ante box 50 to qualify to be dealt the original five card game hand, and additionally placing the bonus payout or progressive jackpot wager on the bonus payout or progressive jackpot wager circle 70, before the game round is dealt.

[0046] (b) placing a call bet in the call box 40 to continue to play out the game hand.

[0047] A Latin Draw Poker player, preferably, gets one chance to qualify to win the bonus payout or progressive jackpot wager. When the dealer's game hand does not qualify to play a game round it is the responsibility of the Latin Draw Poker player, who has made a bonus payout or progressive jackpot wager, to call the winning bonus payout or progressive jackpot game hand to the attention of the dealer.

[0048] A player may win the ante bet and call bet without making a bonus payout or progressive jackpot wager. A player may not win a bonus payout or progressive jackpot wager without making an ante bet and a call bet.

[0049] A player wishing to make a bonus payout or progressive jackpot wager does so by placing a wager, (the amount of the bonus payout or progressive jackpot wager is arbitrarily designated by the game rules or the casino, usually one-dollar), in the betting circle 70 imprinted and identified on the game table layout 30. The betting circle is positioned around an electronic button, or switch, embedded into the top of the game table 10. At the beginning of each game round the dealer, in the process of collecting the bonus payout or progressive jackpot wagers presses down on the wager (chip) that has been placed over the electronic button, or switch, to activate an indicator light positioned in the center of the betting circle. The indicator light, when illuminated, signifies to the dealer and other observers of the game that this seat, or game player, has paid to qualify to win a bonus payout or progressive jackpot for the upcoming game round. Players having made a bonus payout or progressive jackpot wager who are dealt one of the following poker game hands may win all or part of any bonus payout or progressive jackpot for the current game round: Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, or any other combination of cards that may comprise a winning game hand arbitrarily designated by the casino. At the end of the game round, when the settlement is completed, before the new round is dealt the dealer presses the clear button embedded in or attached to the game table to clear and darken all bonus payout or progressive jackpot indicator lights illuminated during the recent game round.

[0050] The bonus payout or progressive jackpot wagers are separate from all other wagers. Bonus payout or progressive jackpot wagers will be paid according to the specific poker game hand value of each player's game hand who has made the qualifying bonus payout or progressive jackpot wager prior to the delivery of the upcoming game round cards to the game players.

[0051] 13. Aggregate Total of Bonus Payout or Progressive Jackpot

[0052] In the event two or more player's game hands qualify to win all or part of the bonus payout or progressive jackpot during any one game round, the winners will share a percentage of the aggregate total of the bonus payout or progressive jackpot, in proportion to the value of each winning poker game hand, for the current game round. In no event will the casino, gaming establishment or gaming location be obligated to pay more than 100% of the amount of the bonus payout or progressive jackpot posted or declared for any game round for which there is one or more winners. Each casino will use either the bonus payout or progressive jackpot system to pay winning players, and preferably not both at the same time.

[0053] B. Game Procedure

[0054] 1. The Deal

[0055] After a player(s) has placed their wagers the dealer will activate an automatic card dispensing-shoe, (or an automatic card shuffler and card-dispensing-shoe), that is positioned on the game table or close to the dealer, causing it to deal five cards, the requisite number of cards that will comprise a Latin Draw Poker game hand, one-by-one, into a card tray or receptacle positioned at the mouth of the shoe. Alternately, the game hands for Latin Draw Poker may also be manually dealt to the game players by a dealer using a game hand-held-deck, or the game hands may be dealt, manually, from a standard type card-dispensing-shoe positioned on or near the Latin Draw Poker game table, by the game dealer. When the requisite number of cards that comprise a Latin Draw Poker game hand have been deposited by the automatic card dispensing shoe, face-down, into the card receptacle the game dealer removes the game hand from the card receptacle and delivers it, face down, to the game player or seat where the first game hand, marker is positioned. (when the first round marker system is not used the first hand of any game round is dealt to the player seated in the first occupied seat in ascending order). Other game hands for the current game round are dealt, in sequence, to any player(s) seated to the left of the player (to the right of the dealer) designated to receive the first game hand, as identified by the dealer's placement of the first game hand indicator marker at the end of the most recent game round, or the game player seated to the left of the dealer. When the last player seated to the left of the designated first game hand has been dealt his game hand by the dealer, for the current round, the dealer then deals the next game hand to the first seat or game player, if any, seated in the seat furthest to the right, (to the dealers left), of the designated first player's seat. The dealer receives the last game hand dealt from the deck for each game round.

[0056] 2. Folded Game Hands

[0057] When the dealer receives his/her five card game hand it is placed face down on the game table top layout directly in front of the game table chip tray 80. If the player, feels the game odds are that his/her game hand does not have a good chance to beat the dealer's game hand, or the player does not want to buy one or two draw cards in an attempt to improve his/her original game hand, and the player chooses not to make a call bet, the player simply folds, (places his/her game cards, face down, to the right side of the draw box 60, and the dealer picks the folded game hand up and places it in the game table discard rack 90). When a player folds his/her game hand, the player forfeits or loses his/her ante bet, and any bonus payout or progressive jackpot wager, to the house or the dealer. The dealer then collects the folding player's ante bet(s) and places them in the game table chip tray 80.

[0058] 3. Bet to Call the Dealer

[0059] When the dealer receives his game hand he then places it face down on the game table top layout directly in front of the game table chip tray 80. Once a player has received his five card game hand, dealt face-down to him by the game dealer, the player picks up the game hand and looks at it to decide if he wants to remain in the game round to make a call bet that his game hand will beat the dealer's game hand. If the player feels his game hand has a good chance of beating the dealer's game hand, and the player wishes to continue playing the current game round he makes a call bet, that is double the amount of his ante bet, by placing the call bet in the call box 40 assigned to the game player's designated seat number imprinted on the game table top layout 30.

[0060] 4. One or Two Card Draw Option

[0061] Any player that calls the dealer's game hand can buy one or two draw cards in an attempt to improve his game hand. Any player that does not wish to buy draw cards will stand pat, playing the cards originally dealt to the player as the game hand for the current game round. To receive draw cards, a player must place the discarded card(s), face down, in the draw box 60 and place an amount identical to the player's ante bet on top of the discarded card(s). The dealer picks up the discarded card(s) and the buy chip(s); placing the buy chip(s) in the chip tray 80 and the player's discarded game card(s) in the game table discard rack 90. The dealer then delivers the top one or two cards of the cards remaining in the deck to the player buying the first draw card(s), and then moves on to the next player remaining in the game, until each player has an opportunity to draw. The game hand resulting from the player exercising his draw card(s) option still qualifies to win the ante and call bet, but not the bonus payout or progressive jackpot, unless otherwise specified by the casino.

[0062] 5. The Play of the Game

[0063] Each of the game players will place an ante bet in their designated seat's ante box 50. The dealer will deal a game hand to each of the players having made the qualifying ante bet for the upcoming game round.

[0064] When the dealer receives his game hand he then places his five card hand face down on the game table top layout 30 in front of the game table chip tray 80. The dealer will then make his first pass around the table to collect the optional bonus payout or progressive jackpot wagers, and to activate the indicator lights of the players who have made the qualifying bonus payout or progressive jackpot wagers.

[0065] The players, having looked at their respective game hands, then decide whether or not they wish to fold or make a call bet to qualify to play out their game hands. Those players choosing to fold will place their cards face down to the right of the draw box 60. Those players choosing to play out the game hand will call by placing a wager, double the amount of the player's ante, in the call box 40. The dealer, seeing that all players have acted on their game hands, makes his second pass around the table to pick up the cards comprising the game hands folded, if any, by one or more game players and to collect the ante bets for each of the game hands that have folded. When the cards of the game players' folding game hands have been picked up and placed in the game table discard rack 90, and the folded game hands ante bets have been collected by the dealer and placed in the game table chip tray 80, the dealer will make a third pass around the table, giving each of the remaining players an opportunity to exercise their draw card option. The dealer starting with the player playing the designated first game hand, if he has not folded and remains in the game, or the first player remaining in the game round that is seated to the left of the designated first game hand, (the dealer's right) will give each player remaining in the current game round the option to discard and buy, or draw, one or two cards for the current game round. Any player that calls the dealer's game hand can buy one or two draw cards in an attempt to improve his/her game hand. Any player that does not wish to buy draw card(s) will stand pat, playing the cards originally dealt to the player as the game hand for the current game round. To receive one or two draw cards a player places the card(s) to be discarded face down, in the draw box 60, and places a buy amount, either in chip's or cash, equal to the value of the player's ante bet on top of the discarded card(s). The dealer picks up the discarded card(s) and the buy chip(s) placing the buy chip(s) in the chip tray 80 and the player's discarded game card(s) in the game table discard rack 90. The dealer then delivers the top one or two card(s) of the card(s) remaining in the deck to the player buying the first draw card(s), and then moves on to the next player remaining in the game, until each player has an opportunity to draw. The game hand resulting from the player exercising his draw card option will now qualify to win the ante and the call bets.

[0066] After the draw card option pass has been made by the dealer, the dealer turns the five, face down, cards of the dealer's game hand face up and places them in front of the game table's chip tray 80 on the game table layout 30. If the dealer's game hand does not qualify, (i.e. the dealer must have a poker hand with at least a pair of five's, or a poker hand of greater value, to qualify to play out the game hand), to play out the hand, the dealer pays any remaining players, who have not folded their game hands, even money on their ante bets, picks up their game hands face down, and the dealer game hand, places them in the discard rack, and takes the cards from the discard rack and shuffles the deck_in preparation to deal a new game round. If the dealer's game hand qualifies, then the settlement begins when the dealer turns the remaining game hand belonging to the highest numbered game table seat first, and then continuing, counter-clockwise, with the game round settlement of the remaining game hands. During the settlement the dealer will leave all game hands having a winning bonus payout or progressive jackpot lying face up on the game table top. When the settlement of the non-winning bonus payout or progressive jackpot hands have been completed the dealer calls the game supervisor and upon the supervisor's authorization pays all bonus payout or progressive jackpot wagers that have winning game hands.

[0067] 6. Rules of Play

[0068] Latin Draw Poker is a new variation of the traditional game of draw poker. It is dealt from a standard 52-card deck of cards. The sequence is as follows: The player makes the ante bet (the bonus payout or progressive jackpot wager is optional) and is then dealt five cards face down. The dealer is also dealt five cards, none of which is exposed. If a player thinks he/she has a good hand he/she has the option of calling the dealer by putting up a second wager, a call bet, that is twice the amount of the ante bet. The only other course of action available to the player is to fold his/her hand and forfeit the ante bet.

[0069] Those players who have called the dealer now have an additional option: For an additional amount equal to the ante bet, the player can trade one or two of his/her five cards for new cards. After all those who opt for a trade discard the card(s) to be traded, the dealer will collect the buy chip(s) for the trade and, in turn, deal each of them the replacement card(s).

[0070] The dealer then compares his/her hand with each of the player hands. In each case, player against dealer, whoever has the highest ranked hand wins. Ties are treated as ties. Standard Poker ranking is used for ranking hands. A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest straight.

[0071] The dealer must qualify with at least a pair of fives. If the dealer does not qualify, all players who called the dealer are paid even money on their ante bet and their call bets are returned. If the dealer hand qualifies and outranks the player's hand, the player loses both the ante bet and the call bet. If the dealer qualifies and the player wins, the player will receive even money on his/her ante bet and be paid at multiple odds on his/her call bet according to one of the Call Bet Pay Schedules set forth below:

[0072] Latin Draw Poker Call Bet Pay Schedules: Call Bet Pay Call Bet Pay Schedule 1 Schedule 2 Final Hand Type Pays (to 1) Pays (to 1) Pair of fives or Better  1  1 Two Pairs  2  2 Three of a Kind 5 to 2 5 to 2 Straight  3  3 Flush  5  4 Full House  6  6 Four of a Kind  20  20 Straight Flush  40  40 Royal Flush 100 100

[0073] Call Bet Pay Schedule 1:

[0074] The player's average bet is 3.0373 units. The house advantage is 3.2657% on the ante, or 1.0752% per bet unit.

[0075] Call Bet Pay Schedule 2:

[0076] The player's average bet is 3.0336 units. The house advantage is 3.9336% on the ante, or 1.2967% per bet unit.

[0077] Bonus Payout Pay Tables:

[0078] The player has the option of making a $1 Latin Draw Poker Bonus Payout or Progressive Jackpot Bet. If a player's hand loses to the dealer's hand the player loses his/her ante and/or call bets, but is paid any winning bonus payout or progressive jackpot wagers.

[0079] The pay table(s) for the Latin Draw Poker Bonus Payout is as shown below: Bonus Payout Pay Table 1 Bonus Payout Pay Table 2 Hand Type Pays ($) Hand Type Pays ($) Three of Kind 5 Two Pairs 4 Straight 25 Three of a Kind 8 Flush 50 Straight 25 Full House 200 Flush 50 Four of Kind 500 Full House 75 Straight Flush 2,000 Four of a Kind 250 Royal Flush 20,000 Straight Flush 2,000 Royal Flush 20,000 House advantage: 23.13% House advantage: 21.79%

CONCLUSION

[0080] Having disclosed exemplary embodiments and the best mode, modifications and variations that may be made to the disclosed embodiments while remaining within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A wagering card game at least comprising one deck of playing cards a playing surface including: at least one ante box; at least one call box; at least one draw box; at least one bonus payout or progressive jackpot circle; at least one discard rack; a chip tray; and a dealer station.
 2. The wagering card game of claim 1, further comprising: a card dispensing shoe.
 3. The wagering card game of claim 1, wherein said playing surface further including: a device configured to indicate the placement of a wager; device configured to indicate when a player qualifies to win a bonus payout or progressive jackpot; and a device configured to clear bonus payout or progressive jackpot indicators.
 4. A method of playing a wagering card game comprising the steps of: players placing an ante bet; dealing a hand to the players; dealing a hand to the dealer, five cards face down; and players deciding to fold, call and/or draw, wherein when choosing to call the player makes a call bet equal to twice the amount of the ante bet; wherein when choosing to draw, players buy one or two draw cards by paying an amount equal to the player ante bet.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein: up to six players play in a game, and a dealer.
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein: at least one deck of fifty-two playing cards is used.
 7. The method of claim 4, wherein: a player game hand is comprised of five cards
 8. The method of claim 4, wherein: player ante bets vary.
 9. The method of claim 4, wherein: players only compete against the dealer to win or lose an ante bet.
 10. The method of claim 4, wherein: the dealer places his five card hand face down; and the player decides to make a call bet, buy one or more draw cards, or fold losing the player ante bet.
 11. The method of claim 4, wherein: the call bet is twice the amount of the ante bet.
 12. The method of claim 4, wherein: call bets are not raised.
 13. The method of claim 9, wherein: all players are given the opportunity to buy one or two draw cards.
 14. The method of claim 4, wherein: one or two draw card(s) cost an amount equal to the player's ante bet.
 15. The method of claim 4, wherein: the dealer hand cannot discard and draw cards.
 16. The method of claim 4, wherein: a player is allowed one chance to win a bonus payout or progressive jackpot.
 17. The method of claim 4, wherein: a royal flush defeats a straight flush, a straight flush defeats four of a kind, four of kind defeats a full house, a full house defeats a flush, a flush defeats a straight, a straight defeats a three of a kind, three of a kind defeats two pair, two pair defeats one pair, one pair defeats a high card, a high card hand defeats a high card hand with a lesser high card hand ranking.
 18. The method of claim 4, wherein: a dealer qualifies to play against a player hand if the dealer hand includes an Ace and a King or is rated higher than an Ace and a King, or any “high” card combination determined by the host casino.
 19. The method of claim 4, wherein: the game round is terminated after any bonus payout or progressive jackpot payout if the dealer hand does not qualify to play the current game round.
 20. The method of claim 4, wherein: the minimum ante bet, maximum ante bet, bonus payout or progressive jackpot are determined by the host casino.
 21. The method of claim 4, wherein: player wins or loses only their own ante and/or call bets, bonus payout or progressive jackpot wager.
 22. The method of claim 4, wherein: a player is paid even money on the player ante bet and the applicable amount on the player call bet if a player hand defeats a dealer hand, and the player has not folded.
 23. The method of claim 4, wherein: more than one player game hand beats the dealer game hand.
 24. The method of claim 4, wherein: players only compete against the dealer to win or lose a call bet. 